Soft Maple

PHOTO
DESCRIPTION	Soft maple is creamy white and has a straight grain. It is a bit less lustrous than Hard Maple and growth rings are comparatively indistinct. Rays are narrower than in Hard Maple. Weight varies from about 30lbs to 35lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	North America
BOTANICAL NAME	Acer Rubrum
OTHER NAMES	Silver Maple, Pacific Maple, Oregon Maple
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	Medium bending and crushing strength. Low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. Considered good for steam bending.
WORKING PROPERTIES	Can be worked fairly well with hand and power tools, although has moderate dulling effect on cutters. Takes nails satisfactorily with care. Gluing results vary. Can be stained and polished to excellent finish.
DURABILITY	Heartwood is non-durable and susceptible to insect attack. Moderately resistant to preservative treatment, but sapwood is permeable.
SEASONING	Dries slowly with little degradation or problems. Small movement.
USES	Suitable for furniture, joinery, domestic flooring, dairy and laundry equipment, sporting goods, turning, paneling, plywood, veneering.
COMMENTS	Selected stock is rotary cut for Bird's Eye Maple veneer.